Will Pitt mentions something important that concerns him.....?

[kentuck]

I may sound like a bit of a heretic saying this, but I have a rogue nerve tingling a concern right now.

Until today, the group here was relatively small, everyone knew each other and everyone was entirely on the same page.

Now there are a bunch of new folks here, and they all mean well, but a number of them appear to be interested in dragging the whole thing towards whatever other cause inspires them.

There is Pamphleteer Guy with his anti-theocracy newspaper buttonholing everyone he can find to buy his paper. There are the young radicals who are arguing with themselves about what actions they can take, whether or not those actions have anything to do with Cindy.

There is nothing wrong right now. I just hope the people who have just come, and the people on the way, remember to be down for the main cause that started this. It would be a real tragedy if this turned into an ANSWER rally, with everyone rocking their own rallying cry. Right now this is laser-focused. It needs to stay that way.

It is a good thing this has gotten big. Don't get me wrong. But if you're coming, pledge to stick to the main tent.

[cry baby]

1. Even those who agree with us can be opportunistic.

I'd like to see this protest as pure as Cindy intended it to be.

[TomInTib]

4. prezactly

any of us with anyone there should advise them of this.

If there are fringe-folks there they can be easily quieted by the majority if the majority can find its voice.

[ObaMania]

2. Well, maybe as people show up, a pamphlet to the effect of the above..

.. should be handed out.

Excellent point by WRP!

Maybe that's why most of our protests are failures or swept under the rug.. we just look like a bunch of complainers that are portrayed that way by the M$M.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. Not to inject an unduly paranoid note, but could there be wingnut types

trying to infiltrate and 'discredit' the group? Would seem like a fairly typical Repub and Rovian tactic.

[DURHAM D]

8. And FBI, and CIA, and Pentagon, and other spook groups we

can't even name.

[blm]

10. That's exactly my thought. Flag-burning scenarios ala 1988 campaign

that was actually a stunt by GOP operatives....and right before Poppy visited those towns.

[anarchy1999]

15. Please everyone, listen up! The founder (Johnny) of the Peace House

has been a long time activist in the Dallas area (30+ years). I'm quite certain they (Hadi and Johnny) called in Peter J. (I believe the last time I met up with him I learned something new, I'm certain I heard him introduced as one of the youngest volunteers with Martin L. King and that was just a couple of weeks ago) to give the Peace Keeping seminar Will spoke of earlier today.

We know there is a storm coming and we are working harder than any of you know to maintain peace in Crawford and make sure this event stays on message and does not get negative.

Thanks
anarchy1999

I'm counting on DU. We made such a difference with Andy, we make a difference every day and we can and are right here and now. I love you guys.

(Hadi is co-founder and best friends with Johnny and I never had any idea why I was helping to make all those buttons until the very end and I then Mr A and had to keep it a secret for days, Until the closing and Johnny got to announce it. Just a little history for you all). T

[blm]

16. No DUer would dare break that peace....

not even one nicked anarchy1999....heheh

[anarchy1999]

22. yes, and well there is the irony.

I wear black, but never a bandana over my face. Although it has been considered.

If they want us come and get us. We both though have been through many peace keeping sessions and how to deal with counter protestors and I'm pretty certain they are headed the Crawford way. That's why I'm counting on DU'ers present to take some quick lessons and help out.

[cry baby]

19. Thank you for the reassurance. Thank you for being there...

I'd give just about anything to be there, but my dad had knee replacement surgery and I have to help my mom with him for at least another full week. I'll be in East Texas helping them, maybe if he is feeling OK, I can sneak over to Crawford before I have to come back home to Tn.

[anarchy1999]

24. Stay home, take care of family, do what you can and it's okay. Okay?

Don't fret, you have enough to deal with. Send thoughts our way, we'll take care of the rest.

Peace
anarchy1999

[cry baby]

30. Okay...I have sent money and I have absolute trust in you and

others to take care of this criminal in the western white house. I'll do all I can from here in front of my computer and on the phone.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Watch out for fire ants!

[anarchy1999]

20. Anyone arriving in Crawford help us all out and stop first at the Peace

House. We are staying on top of this.

[Redstone]

38. Well, of COURSE they could. You're NOT being paranoid. All the more reason

to "purify" the crowd.

Nobody has any right to use Cindy's campaign to illuminate their own pet issues. Nobody.

Restone

[peacetalksforall]

5. Valid, plausible concern. Kick for whatever good could be done from

here on DU.

[NoSheep]

6. There were several posts on DU recently, considering that it might not be

a good thing to go. I don't think anyone thought a person shouldn't go if they were going to support Cindy. But...I feel this kind of thing was warned against. To any one who thought "nay-sayer", this is the kind of thing that was being considered.

[pacalo]

13. I'm glad you mentioned this, NoSheep.

I didn't want Mrs. Sheehan's intentions to be tainted or cheapened by what Will appropriately termed "rogue groups."

On the other hand, I'm glad to see her getting so much love & support. That means more to her sustenance than anything.

I just wish those who want to divert the focus off Mrs. Sheehan's purpose by handing out fliers for their particular peeves would stay the hell away from her.

[anarchy1999]

33. One important thing I've been taught these last few years by my mentors,

(who are Johnny and Hadi and many others i've not the time to tell you about), STAY ON MESSAGE. Don't be distracted and I'm quite certain that is why P Johnson was there tonight to help. I really have not a doubt.

This is becoming a media circus and it is up to all of us to not let it be.

You've lots to learn from the "wise ones" in the DFW/Austin/Houston community. Surprise, Texas is not BUSH COUNTRY.

I learn from them all the time and I'm way to old, just ask Will.

[pacalo]

39. Good to hear, anarchy.

I have a friend who moved to Houston, Texas, ten years ago who used to send me e-mails galore in support of the Texas idiot & his war. Most of them were "kick @ss, take their gas" types. Her husband works in the upper echelon of an oil corporation, so it was no surprise that they were supporting this war-for-oil misadventure.

I'm happy to tell you that her tune has changed. For the last year, I've been getting nothing but demeaning forwards in regard to the clown. The icing on the cake is that there are many names on her forward list & these are the same senders/recipients of the old "kick @ss, take their gas" schtick. And the cherry on top is the fact that most of them are in the same business: oil production. (Sadly, my guess is that their businesses have been left out of the money-grabbing scheme. I still can't get their original stance on the war out of my mind, but regardless, I'm glad to see they've changed their tune.)

[DURHAM D]

7. I have no doubt that the Bushies are putting some trouble makers

in our group, people who will try to be disruptive and make the lefties look bad.

Be careful everyone.

[gardenista]

11. You are certainly right. Let's hope that any moves toward violence or

bizarre behavior that would dilute or degrade Cindy's message will be swiftly and peacefully neutralized by experienced organizers.

Anyone there should have a camera with them at all times to document suspected cointelpro activities.

[smartvoter]

12. Yep. Just like Nixon did with the planted soldiers on the mall who

tried to turn the protests violent. nt

[bklyncowgirl]

9. It's pretty easy for the other side to pull some sort of dirty tricks.

Remember the "anti-semitic" literature at DNC during the Downing Street memo hearings. Shit hit the media fan and took away from the impact of the hearings.

There's no doubt they'd like to discredit this movement. Hope everyone down there's on guard both against tricksters from the dark side and self-absorbed lefty assholes screamng "Free Mumia" when the focus should be on the war.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

14. the flakes always show up to discredit us

don't know how many times i've went to an anti-war protest in dc and some guy is giving out communist literature

and no, these weren't even ANSWER events

and don't get me started on the self-indulgent naked people, who are more interested in being seen as subversive than in getting anything substantial accomplished

and these people always get covered when our side is in the news. but how often do we the freaks on the GOP side, like the trailer hitch jesus guy?

[Bumblebee]

17. I know -- and yet we do need numbers because teh story needs to continue

But your concerns are very valid

[Cocoa]

18. please no sea turtle costumes

for god's sakes no sea turtle costumes.

[Maru Kitteh]

21. I'm going to bring a bunch of pins that say

IT'S ABOUT CASEY

to help keep people focused

I'd be happy to entertain other suggestions as well.

[Maddy McCall]

26. Hi, Veganistan.

When will you be going? We're not going to make it Saturday, but probably will be there by Sunday.

Could I beg you to save me two Casey buttons? I'll gladly pay for them.

Thanks!

[Maru Kitteh]

34. I hope to be there Saturday night but may have to settle for Sunday

don't know, will PM you later today. Will definately make ya a button. :-)

[Maru Kitteh]

37. Check your inbox :-) n/t

[loudsue]

23. Thank God/Goddess for the Internet! And for digital cameras

that turn into camcorders...in an instant!

The freeptards can no longer accomplish what they formerly did, because we're ALL OVER 'EM!

Edited to add: They're so stupid, that they think WE'RE as stupid as they are, and might fall for this shit!

:kick::kick::kick:

[marions ghost]

36. right, loudsue

Cameras are a big deterrent--esp videos. If anyone tries to stir anything up, they are risking alot more exposure.

[Maddy McCall]

25. I'm with Will. I'm going to make "I support Cindy" t-shirts...

tomorrow so that there is no doubt that I am there for and because of Cindy.

[anarchy1999]

27. Distressed American has some already and I provided the one Cindy

is wearing. I handed it to her yesterday morning. In honor of Nostamj, Code Pink and all of us here at DU, question W is on the back of the T. There is a pic somewhere here of Cindy in the middle of the crosses..

I'm think it is at benb's site, I'm not sure.

I'm getting very ready to sign off for the night, see you all in the morn and please help me to get my messages out on needs.

PM me with questions and I'll respond through midnight CST and be back first thing in the am, EARLY!

anarchy1999

[Maddy McCall]

28. I saw that. Nice tee.

I don't have time to order one. Will they be for sale at Camp Casey or at the Peace House?

[anarchy1999]

32. Yes. That is where they are. I think I'm needing to contact my supplier

and order up more, waiting to hear, the shirt is $10.00 with all profits going to the Peace House and Cindy's efforts.

The Peace House shirt is not half bad either. (If you were buying one of these shirts someplace else they would more than likely be at least $15 more than likely $20. I know someone rather special who knows Johnny and they have many mutual friends going way back).

What size are you looking for and I'll have one set back for you if you want one. PM me. Supplies are getting low from the last report I had.

Peace.

[SledDriver]

29. As this gets more attention and the crowd grows...

an increasing variety of folks are going to be arriving. Most will come to show support. Some will come to try and get an autograph, or to get some attention/credibility to promote their own thing (e.g. "Free Mumia").

There may also be troublemakers. Some of the wingnuts are just in disagreement, but some of these RW whackos are way out on the lunatic fringe.

It might be a good idea, if this isn't being done already, to maybe setup a security zone around Cindy. No one who is unknown or who can't be vouched for should be allowed to get too close. Especially with the weekend crowd. I'm not suggesting going "Patriot Act II" on people, just limiting her exposure to ensure safety.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

31. And just the other day people were running down a guy......

.....for saying massive amounts of people shouldn't show up as it will only lead to the fringe types coming out of the woodwork...."Oh, don't be negative, Cindy wants us there, why do you hate our cause?"

Hello? McFly?

[ohio_liberal]

35. That guy

got tombstoned yesterday. dammit :(